Bell POA also fought the "economic times" argument at Bell but was still successful in obtaining a huge benefit for its members.  Bell POA, led by its President, Jaime Baltazar and POA Board Member, Mark Logan, convinced the City Manager to provide a benefit that most cities are trying to negotiate away, lifetime medical.  Since the City did not want to spend money now, given the "economic times," the POA showed that by providing lifetime medical coverage, the City would only have to start paying very little now with a gradual increase over the years that it could plan for.  The City agreed.  The POA members now have lifetime medical coverage for the employee plus a dependent after 20 years of service in Bell.   In addition, it was shown that the City could save money by allowing employees who could obtain medical coverage with a spouse to opt out of the City's coverage.  To incentivize such action, an "opt out" benefit was created that provides an employee one-half of the employees medical allotment if he/she waives the City's medical insurance. Given this was only a one-year contract, allowing the POA to return soon for other compensation items, the membership agreed to the good one year package.